The Russian state can trace its origin to the principality
of Kievan Rus. The princely dynasty that first ruled over Novgorod until they
conquered Kiev was of Swedish origin and ruled over all Russia until the 17th
century. Kievan Rus was 1019 divided between different branches of the dynasty,
but the grand prince of Kiev (from 1169 in Vladimir-Suzdal and from 1328 in
Moscow) had supremacy over the other princes. The Russian principalities
were 1240 defeated by the Mongols and forced to be their vassals until 1480
when the Russians broke free and was unified by Ivan the Great. Ivan the
Terrible had him self crowned as tsar 1547. Tsar was the Russian word for
Emperor but abroad it was generally seen as Russian variant of king. To be
recognised as emperor Peter the Great proclaimed himself as Imperator of all
Russia 1721, which became the official title although the title tsar lived
on in popular use.